ABOUT BRECK FILM
Join Us: 2024 Breck Film Fest from September 19 - 22, 2024
The Story of A Historical High Country Non-Profit
Over the past 42 years, Breckenridge Festival of Film evolved into Breck Film, a prominent high country non-profit with a mission to educate, entertain, and inspire through film.. From 2019 to 2022, Breck Film and Breckenridge Film Festival experienced a dynamic period of growth. This exciting phase of our growth was defined by internal restructuring, leadership changes, and the successful acquisition of operations at our beloved local art-house theater, The Eclipse. Having finally found a home of our own, this milestone highlights our commitment to the community Additionally, our outreach programs remain as a guiding light, particularly through our impactful student film programs.
Keep reading to learn more about Breck Film and The Eclipse Theater’s commitment to our community, dedication to fostering diversity, and growth of the Breckenridge Film Festival.
Global Reach and colorado Film Festival Fun
Stay tuned for our 2024 Breck Film Fest: September 19 - 22, 2024 or Check Out Past Festivals Here!
Film as a Foundation for Summit County’s Community: Diversity in the Film Industry
For us, film serves as a foundation for community; a way to bring people together from different demographics and belief systems. The festival screened blockbusters like “The Shawshank Redemption,” “L.A. Confidential,” and “Kung Fu Panda”, bringing thousands of people together through film, and in 2020 Breck Film leveled up!
Breck Film has amped its Outreach and Education programs to drive conversations around racial inequality and inclusivity. In 2020, we ran a “What We’re Watching Campaign” that highlighted films about racism, social justice, and civil rights every Thursday on Instagram. Moreover, we supported our first Solidarity Nation event at which community leaders and residents discussed what Black Lives Matter means to them.
We expanded our reach across Summit County and began offering films in both English and Spanish to better connect with our prominent LatinX community.
Empowering Women and Youth in the Industry
Breck Film has highlighted women and youth in the industry through its Women’s History Month programming, elite internship programs, and partnership with Keystone Science School’s Girls in STEM program.
The Power of Film and Looking Ahead
Film teaches us to believe anything is possible. We have an opportunity to relive history, imagine new worlds, and shape better futures.
After over 40+ years, a lot has changed and a lot has been accomplished — thanks to our filmmakers, fans, partners, members, and donors. To learn how you can support our mission, click here.
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LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR HISTORY
In a spectacular setting 9,600 feet above sea level, the flagship festival takes place in the authentic mountain town of Breckenridge every year. Each fall, the festival celebrates vibrant fall colors intertwined with spirited personalities and storytelling in an easy-to-access location just 80 miles west of Denver.
Breck Film Fest's Industry Impact: Connecting Audiences and Filmmakers
Breck Film Fest, also known as the Breckenridge Film Festival, was ranked as a USA Today Top 20 Film Festival and continually hits the Top 100 Film Festival list on the FilmFreeway submissions platform.
It presents 90+ films in four days with 30+ filmmakers in attendance to engage with audiences.. Partnerships with major studios bring high-caliber films and industry guests to Breckenridge throughout the year.
Industry guests from acclaimed outlets such as Pixar, Disney, ReFramed Pictures (Susan Sarandon-operated production company), Laika Entertainment, and more are festival programming highlights. Recently, the festival hosted guests such as Michael Shannon (Shape of Water), Mira Sorvino (Mighty Aphrodite) and Matthew Glave (The Wedding Singer). The festival strives to connect audiences to film and filmmakers, advancing the art of storytelling and all that goes along with it: composing, music and sound, cinematography, the business of filmmaking/production, directing, and so much more.
“Film matters on so many levels. As an art form, it rounds out the community in which we live. As an affordable art form, film (particularly as presented in our festival) is accessible to everyone. Our free programming provides entry points to film for anyone in the community. We additionally make available film that isn’t available elsewhere”
Empowering local High School Students and Future Filmmakers
Our High School Program engages students across the state and has caught the attention of the Colorado Film Office. Selected students are invited to show their films theatrically at the festival with a feedback luncheon with professional filmmakers. It complements the long-running Children’s Program, which introduces young children to film with hands-on activities.
In 2019, we started a partnership with Keystone Science School's Girls in STEM program to create a Filmmaking Workshop, to great success. Girls from grades 3-8 are linked with professional and student film mentors to learn the process of filmmaking start-to-finish in a weekend-long overnight course. Participants walk the Red Carpet and pose for the paparazzi before entering the theater to see their productions on the big screen.
Notable Guests From Festival’s Past
The Breck Film Fest’s rich history includes guests such as Alan Arkin, James Earl Jones, Robert Loggia, Marsha Mason, Sydney Pollack, Mary Steenburgen, Donald Sutherland, Eva Marie Saint, Jon Voight, Lou Diamond Phillips, Jon Favreau, Michael York , Jo Beth Williams, Connie Nielsen, Irvin Kershner, Thomas Haden Church, AnnaSophia Robb, and DB Sweeney. A past partnership with the University of Colorado at Boulder presented classic and foreign films with faculty members leading interrelated discussions.
The Town of Breckenridge (est. 1859) is home to an internationally known ski resort providing summer and fall visitors a myriad of recreational opportunities from biking, hiking, sailing and rafting, to fishing, golf, tennis and horseback riding. Today, Breckenridge retains much of the look and historic charm of its prior heyday as a late 1800’s mining town. The town is home to a world-class network of mountain bike trails, a recreation center with redesigned tennis center, acclaimed fly-fishing, and a Jack Nicklaus designed public golf course. The town offers historical tours, art galleries, many shops and fine dining.
Ready to be part of the Breck Film experience?
Dive into the vibrant world of our festival and explore opportunities to get involved. Don't miss the chance to showcase your storytelling - film festival submission deadlines and information can be found here ! Join Breck Film, celebrate the art of storytelling, and be a part of the magic.
OUR MISSION
Breck Film curates unique, year-round film experiences that entertain and enrich the lives in our mountain community.
OUR VISION
Breck Film will be the premier source of film experiences in Summit County and the surrounding region.
OUR VALUES
HONESTY
GROWTH
INTEGRITY
SUSTAINABILITY
QUALITY
VISION
TEAMWORK
GUIDANCE
TESTIMONIALS
Hear from filmmakers, our community, and attendees alike
about their experiences with the Breck Film Organization!
HOYT RICHARDS, FILMMAKER
“LOVE THIS FESTIVAL. IT HAS A FANTASTIC REPUTATION AND IT’S WELL DESERVED..."
"Industry insiders and distributors really respect this festival. Very strong program of films. Warm and friendly staff and volunteers. Wonderful location. Really fun parties and social gatherings to socialize with other filmmakers. They also assist with lodging expenses. It’s been going for 36 years for good reason. One of my best festival experiences by far. I hope to be lucky enough to go back again!"
MICHELLE CARPENTER, FILMMAKER
“THE BRECKENRIDGE FILM FESTIVAL IS ONE OF THE MOST PROFESSIONAL AND ORGANIZED FILM FESTIVALS I EVER ATTENDED…”
"The programming was outstanding and location amazing. My liaison and the BFF staff were incredible including my lovely accommodations, a sound/color check and the festival hosted some excellent parties! it was a fabulous weekend!”
testimonials from ATTENDEES
"Eight days a week – love the Beatles. The filmmaker forums were fun and interesting."
"The film festival offered a wonderful variety and our personal experiences with the people and shops of Breckenridge were great, too."
"I loved the involvement of all the town and the use of many different venues."
"We loved being with good friends, sharing the experience, interesting films, and a beautiful fall weekend."
